"Watch it!" Ben shot back. "If you want anything for Christmas."

James turned and smirked at him. "You can't fool me with that anymore!"

He had this funny look on his face. I recognized it. It was saying, I know there's no Santa Claus, but I'm not going to say it, because my little brothers might hear. (As you might guess, I see this expression in my family a lot.)

"Yeah?" Ben said. "Well, don't forget, I buy presents, too, for people who deserve them."

James's smirk disappeared. "Sorry."

As he slunk out the door, Ben sighed. "Do you get presents for all your brothers and sisters?" '

I nodded. "I buy things here and there, all through the year — little things. Last year I got Claire a hole puncher and it was her favorite gift."

"Yeah?"

Johnny barged inside, screaming. Behind him was Jamie Newton, another four-year-old

who lives in the neighborhood. Jamie was making these timid little roaring noises and giggling.

A moment later, Mathew walked in with Myriah Perkins from next door. They were gabbing about some video game.

Ben and I tried to move away from the kitchen, but we couldn't. The kids kept asking for juice, snacks, and all sorts of things they couldn't reach.

Finally Ben suggested, "How about a big pot of hot chocolate?"

"Yeaaaaaaa!"

Ding-dong. As we were assembling the ingredients, the front doorbell rang. Mathew, Myriah, Johnny, and Jamie all ran to answer it.

It was Charlotte Johanssen and Becca Ramsey (Jessi's sister). "Hi, guys!" Becca called out. "Where's James?"

James ran in from the back, followed by Jake Kuhn. "Hi!" James greeted them. "Me and Jake found a birds' nest!"

"Let's see!"

The kids stampeded toward the back door. There they practically collided with Mr. Hobart, who had clomped up from the basement. "Well, well," he exclaimed. "Welcome